Adjustable window screen



April 29, 1930. ow z 1,756,030

ADJUSTABLE WINDOW SCREEN Filed Oct. 18, 1928 ATTOkNEY Patented Apr. 29, 1930 RUBIN KOWNATZKY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ADJUSTABLE WINDOW SCREEN Application filed October 18, 1928. Serial No. 313,206.

My present invention relates generally to screens, and has particular reference to the sectional type of 'wire screen which is used in conjunction with the ordinary openable window.

A general object of my invention is to provide a screen which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, which is provided with means for expediting its application and removal with respect to a window, and wherein a resilient arrangement enhances the ease of employment and the elficiency of the screen in use.

The type of screen to which my invention relates comprises a plurality of complementary sections, usually two, which are relatively adjustable to alter the effective overall length of the screen. For example, in the screen herein illustrated and hereinafter to'be described in conjunction with my present invention, a pair of relatively slidable overlapping screen sections is provided whereby an adjustment of the sections to increase the degree of overlap will reduce the effective length ment will increase the effective length. The reduction in length is necessary in applying the screen to a window, being followed by an adjustment which spreads the sections so as to cause the entire screen to fit snugly between the opposite frames of the window Similarly, a withdrawal of the screen necessitates an initial adjustment of the sections to reduce the overall length.

A more articular object of my invention is to provide a screen of the foregoing character wherein all of the adjusting mechanism is effectively concealed and protected.

Another object is to provide a screen which is totally devoid of undesirable openings or slots through whichinsects, dust, or the like may pass while the screen is in use.

importanttobject is to provide a screen with the resilient means hereinbefore referred to without altering the dimensions of parts nor the appearance of the entire device. In general, my present invention provides a compact and efliciently constructed section- 50 a1 screenhaving a number of advantages, yet

of the entire screen, and a reverse adjust-- the initial application totally devoid of unnecessary and undesirable parts, projections, or the like which mar its appearance or complicate its manufacture or employment.

For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have constructed a deviceembodying the features of my invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a screen constructed in accordance with my present;in-' vention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the lower portion of one screen section during the assembly of the device; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 1.

I have shown a screen comprisin two complementary sections 10 and 11. he section 10 includes the upper frame portion 12, the lower frame portion 13, and the end frame portion 14, these portions being preferably of wood. The section 11 is similarly provided with an upper frame portion 15, a lower frame portion 16, and an end frame portion 17. Suitably stretched between the portions 12, 13, and 14 is an area of wire mesh forming the screen proper, the inner end'of this mesh being protected and stiffened by a metallic sheath 18 or the like. A complementary area of wire mesh is stretched between the portions 15, 16, and 17 and has by a sheath 19.

The sections 10 and 11 overlap and are adjustably constructed so as to permit the degree of overlap to be altered. More particularly, it will be noted that the frame portion 12 I overlaps the frame portion 15, and that the frame portion 13 overlaps the frame portion 16. Sincethe upper and lower pairs 0 frame portions are identical in construction a detailed description of the lower pair will sufiice to explain the nature of my invention.

In the frame portion 16 I provide a longitudinal channel 20 which is preferably of dovetail cross-section. A T-shaped cross-section would serve as well, the essential characteristic beingthat the side walls of the chanits inner end protected nel 21 which is similarly constructed and arranged and which opens onto the surface 22,

the latter being the surface of the portion.

13 which is concealed by the overlapping portion 16.

- 15 In other words, the channels open toward each other, and they are so arranged as to register With each other to provide a substantially enclosed chamber. This chamber is designated by the reference numeral 23 in Figure 1, its ends being defined by the ends 24 and 25 of the portions 13 and 16 respectively. It is obvious that the --length of the chamber 23 is variable, depending'uponthe degree of overlap of the screen sections. 25 Mounted'in the channel 21 and adjacent to the end 24 is an anchor, preferably of metal,

andcomprising a substantially flat body portion 26 and a bent end 27 The width of the body portion 26 is such as to enable the in the end of the channel 21. The bent end or flange 27 is so constructed and sized as to extend out of the end of the channel 21 and to seal such end as shown most clearly in Figure 3. The opposite end of the body portion 26 is provided with a hook 28 or similar instrumentality for carrying an end 29 of a tension spring 30. x

A similar anchor is fixedly positioned with in the channel 20 adjacent to the end 25 of the frame portion 16. Thus,- a substantially flat body portion 31 is frictionally held within the channel 20,'a bent end or flange 32 extends out of the channel end and seals the latter as shown in Figure 3, and a hooked portion 33or the like carries the opposite end 34 of the spring 30.

-' The body portion 26 carries a guide pin.35 having an enlarged head 36; such pin extending across the chamber 23 into the channel 20. The. undercut nature of the latter together with the enlargement-of the head 36 serves to retain the'anchor '(andconsequently the frame portion 13) in close overlying proximity to the frame portion 16. Similarly, a guide pin 37 provided with an enlarged head 38 extends from the body portion 31 of. the other anchor across the chamber 23 into the opposite channel 21.

, are thus totally invisible so far as the external appearance of the screen is concerned, and

anchor to be frictionally held in fixed position Reference to Figure 3 will show 'clearand the spring 30, are all effectively concealedthey are also efliciently protected and shielded from annoying or undesirable contact with the user or with external things.

I11 assembling the device, the two anchors with the spring associated therewith are slid into one of the channels, for example, the channel 20. The positions which these anchors assume is shown most clearly in Figure 2. The left-hand anchor will slide freely to a position approximately at the point shown in Figure 2; the right-hand anchor will havefto be forced frictionally into the end of the channel 20 so that the flange 32 lies in close sealing contact over the end of the channel. Thereupon, the portion 13 is slidfrom the right into the assembled condition of Figure 1. That is, the head 38 Will enter the channel 21 first and, will slide freely within the latter as the portion 13 is moved to the left. The channel 21 will presently approach the left-hand anchor, and .the latter may easily be forced into frictional fixed position Within the channel. The parts will finally assume the positional relationships of Figure 3.

The-operation of the device will be obvious from the foregoing description. A pair of finger grips 39 and 40 are preferably associated with the frame portions 17 and 14. re-

spectively. By engaging these grips and drawing them together, the sections will be caused to. move so as to increase the degree of overlap. Such mo.vement:will be effectedagainst the action of the spring 30 in the chamber 23 and the identical spring in the upper chamber. The screen being then applied to the window, a" mere release of the grips 39 and 40 willenable the springs to reduce the lengths of the chamber 23 and the corresponding upper chamber. In other words, the spring 30 will tend to draw the anchors with which it is associated toward each other, and since these anchors are fixedly positioned. within the ends'of the channels- 20 and 21 respectively, the spring will tend to draw the ends 24: and 25 of the portions 13 and 16 toward each other. This will tend to decrease the sizeof the chamber 23, thereby decreasing the degree of overlap of the-sections 10 and 11, and the total effective length of the screen will thereby automatically in--' crease until the screen braces Itself securely between the opposite frame portions of the window.

To prevent over-stressing the spring 30, I provide an abutment 41 in at least one of the channels. I have shown such abutment in the channel 20, and it is so positioned with respect to the type of screen employed that when the maximum elongation of the spring has been effected, the head 36 of the pin 35 will encounter the abutment 41 and will thereby limit the adjustment of the screen sections. A similar abutment is preferably associated with the upper frame portion 15. i

I Wish to point out particularly that the screen constructed in accordance with my invention is totally devoid of any externally projecting parts, tubes, guideways, pins, or the like. It resembles in all exterior respects the ordinary type of screen customarily employed. Furthermore, it is to be noted that there are no slots, openings, or other apertures I through the frame portions or elsewhere through which dust or insects might find their way. These advantageous results are achieved as a direct result of my construction wherein the channels open toward each other and register to provide a chamber, and wherein the entire guiding and adjusting mechanism is efficiently-and compatl arranged in protected and concealed con ition within such chamber. Furthermore, I draw attention to the extreme simplicity of my construction, all of the constituent parts bein of an extremely inexpensive character and enabling me to construct and assemble a device with a minimum amount of labor, time,-

and expense. I am fully-aware that sectional screens are well known by themselves, and. also that the employment of resilient means has heretofore been attempted in connection with such screens. I therefore make no claim broadly to the employment of resilient means in conjunction with such a screen. The specific advantageous features of construction which I claim herein are clearly set forth in the appended claims.

It will of course be obvious that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention may be made by those'skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention-and illustrated its'use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a screen, a pair of overlapping sections, each section havin a channel opening onto the surface which is concealed by the other section, said channels registering with each other to provide a chamber, a pair of anchors'at opposite ends of said chamber and abutting the ends of said channels respectively, and spring means in said chamber and operatively interposed betweensaid anchors to yieldably urge them toward each other.

2. In a screen, a pair of overlapping sections, each section having a channel 0 ening onto the surface which 1s concealed y the other section, said channels re istering with each other to provide a cham er, a pair of anchors at opposite ends of said chamber and associated with the ends of said sections respectively, and spring means in said chamber and operatively extending between said anchors for yieldably urging said ends toward each other; said anchors being arranged with in said channels respectively and having portions which seal the ends of saidvchannels.

3. In a screen, a pair of overlapping sections. each section having a channel opening onto the surface which is concealed by the other section, said channels re istering with each other to provide a cham er, a pair of anchors at opposite ends of said chamber and associated with the ends of said sections respectively, and spring means in said chamber and operatively extending between said anchors for yieldably urging said ends toward each other; said anchors being arranged for endwise removability within said channels respectively and having each a guide pin which extends across the chamber into the opposite channel. v

4. In a screen, a pair of overlapping sections, each section having a channel opening onto the surface which is concealed by the other section, said channels registering with each other to provide a chamber, a pair of anchors at opposite ends of said chamber and associated with the ends of said sections respectively, and spring means in said chamber and operatively extending between said anchors for yieldably urging said ends toward each other; said anchors being removably arranged within said channels respectively and having each a portion which seals the end of the channel and a guide pin which extends across the chamber into the opposite channel.

5. In a screen, a pair of overlapping sections, each section having a channel opening onto the surface which is concealed by the other section, said channels registering with each other to provide a chamber, a pair of anchors at opposite ends of said chamber and associated with the endsof said sections respectively. and spring means in said chamber and operatively extending between said anchors for yieldably urging said ends toward each other; said anchorsbeing arranged within said channels respectively and comprising each a flat body portion bent to provide an end flange which extends out of the channel to seal the end thereof.

6. In a screen, a pair of overlapping sections, each section having a channel opening onto the surface which is concealed by the other section, said channels registering with each other to provide a chamber, a pair of anchors at opposite ends of said chamber and associated with the ends of said sections respectively, and spring means in said chamber and for yieldably urging said ends toward each other; said anchors being arranged Within said channels respectively and comprising each a flat body portion bent to .provide an end flange which extends out of the channel to seal the end thereof, and a hook at the opposite end of the body portion for engaging one end of said spring means. 1 7. 111 a screen, a pair of overlapping sections, each section having a channel opening onto the surface which is concealed by the other section, said channels registering with each other to provide a chamber, a pair of anchors at opposite ends of said chamber and associated with the ends of said sections respectively, and spring means in said chamber and operatively extending between said anchors for yieldably urging said ends toward each other; said anchors being arranged within said channels respectivel and comprising each a flat body portion ent to provide an end flange which extends out of the channel to seal the end thereof, and aguide pin projecting from said body portion across the chamber into the opposite channel.

.8. In a screen, a pair of overlapping sections, each section having a channel opening onto the surface which is concealed by the other section, said channels registering with each other to provide a chamber, spring means in said chamber and hence concealed and protectedthereby for yieldably urging said sections to alter the degree of overlap,

and means in at last one of said channels for limiting the movement K of said sections against the action of said spring means.

9. In a screen, a pair ofbverlapping sections, each section having a channel opening onto the surface which is concealed by the other section, said channels re istering with each other to provide a cham er, a pair of anchors at opposite ends of said chamber and associated ,with said sections respectively, spring means in said chamber and operatively interposed between said anchors to yieldably urge them toward each other, and an abutment in at least one of said channels and encounterable by one of said anchors tolimit v the, spreading of said anchors against the action of said spring means.

In Witness whereof I have si ned this specification this 15th day of Octo er, 1928.

RUBIN KOWNATZKY. 

